An excellent scientific revolution is underway as biotechnology advances with astonishing speed, equipping us with the means to gain mastery over the intricacies of biology eventually. This progress presents a dichotomy: on the one hand, we are unraveling the mysteries of the deadliest diseases, while on the other hand, we face the potential creation of viruses more dangerous than nuclear bombs, capable of inflicting catastrophic damage on humanity. These developments prompt the question: what is unfolding before our eyes?
Biotechnology has permeated every facet of our lives. It is present in the very fabric of our clothes, the vegetables we consume, and even our beloved pets. Human beings now possess the ability to manipulate living organisms. We harness the power of bacteria to synthesize insulin, establish direct connections between prosthetics and our brains, and engineer industrial enzymes for paper production. Through gene therapy, we have unlocked treatments for previously incurable ailments, all while endeavoring to develop climate-resistant crops to combat the challenges posed by global warming.
Our advancements in biology have accelerated so that shortly after the initial Covid-19 case, the unknown coronavirus was disassembled and examined within laboratories. Researchers successfully replicated its genetic material, enabling the creation of a vaccine that was ready for testing mere months after the onset of the pandemic. This extraordinary progress would have been inconceivable a decade ago. How did this sudden leap forward come about?
The explanation is multifaceted, but it can be attributed to two primary factors: the reduced cost of formerly expensive endeavors and the widespread dissemination of knowledge regarding impressive scientific techniques. The initiation of the Human Genome Project in 1990 marked a significant initiative to decipher the entirety of human DNA. The project was completed after thirteen years and an expenditure of $3 billion. By that time, the expense of decoding a human genome had diminished to approximately $100 million. This process has become a staggering 100,000 times cheaper, costing only around $1,000.
Can you believe it? Converting DNA into computer data and analyzing it has undergone a remarkable transformation. In the past, it was an incredibly laborious task, requiring highly skilled individuals to dedicate around three years of manual work. However, in today’s world, this process has been streamlined to a mere two weeks and is now predominantly automated. Once limited to exclusive and well-funded laboratories staffed with the finest experts worldwide, the biotechnology field has become accessible enough for hundreds of thousands of individuals to engage with it casually.
Furthermore, the acceleration of this process can be attributed to the widespread and unrestricted sharing of information within the field. Revolutionary advancements that used to take years to disseminate are now replicated in laboratories worldwide within a year. With a solid background in biology, one can unravel these breakthroughs in just a few years, and high school students can even experiment with them in educational settings within slightly over a decade.
Just picture this: your local computer repair shop assembling a flawless iPhone 11 using nothing but spare parts. At the same time, teenagers are tasked with building a genuine iPhone 5 for their homework. And mind you; we’re not talking about some shoddy homemade replica, but the real deal. This exact phenomenon is unfolding in the realm of biotechnology—a genuine revolution redefining this field’s possibilities.
Humanity is rapidly accumulating knowledge at an unprecedented pace, accompanied by the increasing speed and affordability of various endeavors. This remarkable progress holds the promise of even more remarkable advancements for the betterment of humanity. We anticipate the development of lifesaving treatments, revolutionary agricultural techniques, and groundbreaking solutions to problems that currently elude our imagination.
However, progress has a dual nature. What can be harnessed for good can also be misused, inadvertently or intentionally. Despite the immense benefits that biotechnology will bring shortly, there is an alarming potential for it to cause the loss of millions and, in the worst-case scenario, even hundreds of millions of lives. This is a risk more devastating than any nuclear weapon.
The recent rapid spread of the novel coronavirus was a stark reminder of how swiftly a pathogen can proliferate. We are yet to definitively determine whether the virus emerged naturally or resulted from an accidental release from a laboratory engaged in coronavirus research. This subject remains a topic of scientific debate. Ultimately, the pandemic claimed the lives of at least 7 million individuals, despite the relatively mild nature of the virus that spared most of those infected from severe illness. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that future viruses may have a greater capacity to cause harm.
The origin of the previous pandemic aside, it is plausible that the responsibility for the next one could lie with us. In a certain sense, numerous developments in biotechnology contribute to this possibility. One significant factor is the relative ease with which dangerous viruses can be manipulated. Nowadays, thousands of scientists can order the genetic information of infectious virus samples online, enabling them to conduct experiments. In 2023, it costs roughly the same as purchasing a new car, including all the necessary laboratory equipment, to assemble an artificial virus.
Simultaneously, other researchers actively seek out viruses in natural reservoirs, such as wild bats or monkeys. Numerous potentially lethal pandemics are likely lurking in these environments. Virus hunters collect samples and bring them back to the laboratory to assess the likelihood of these newly discovered viruses spreading to humans, thus cataloging the associated risks. Typically, when a biologist identifies a new virus, they publish its genetic data for the public to access. Scientific journals eagerly disseminate descriptions of potentially hazardous viruses.
Other laboratories take their research even further by intentionally enhancing the virulence of viruses. They undertake experiments involving combining and mutating different viruses to identify specific mutations that facilitate their transmission between humans or amplify their lethality beyond their original forms. Disturbingly, the findings from these experiments are openly shared. Compounding this concern is that synthetic DNA and the necessary equipment to reconstruct these viruses can be readily purchased online without adequate tracking or regulation.
With the continuous reduction in cost and increased accessibility of biotechnological tools, coupled with the escalating volume of data on dangerous viruses, it is only a matter of time before a well-intentioned scientist inadvertently disseminates plans for a viral equivalent of a nuclear bomb—a superbug capable of causing millions of deaths. Tragically, there is the looming possibility that someone may exploit such information due to evil intentions or irresponsibility and negligence. This trajectory leads us towards an environment where the creation of weaponized viruses in backyard laboratories becomes alarmingly effortless.
The implications of this scenario are profoundly unsettling. The world would descend into an unceasing crisis as new pandemics emerge year after year, or even simultaneously, resulting in the loss of countless lives and wreaking unimaginable havoc upon civilization. The progress achieved over centuries could be jeopardized, potentially undoing the advancements made by humanity.
We have encountered challenges like this before, and we are not without recourse – consider the case of nuclear technology. It is a prime example of something compelling and dangerous with significant pros and cons. Nuclear energy emerged from military programs, prompting its creators always to be mindful of the potential to misuse their knowledge. Right from the start, it was evident that handling the expertise and access to this technology required utmost caution.
Substantial efforts have been devoted to ensuring that no radioactive materials vanish without a trace and that countries do not conceal weapons development under the guise of energy programs. Although the outcome has not been flawless, we have achieved considerable success given the existence of 411 operational nuclear power plants today. Similarly, no responsible researcher would contemplate sharing information online about converting standard laboratory equipment into tools for manufacturing bombs. There is no reason we cannot adopt a similar approach to address the hazardous aspects of biotechnology!
Experts have formulated three critical points of emphasis. Firstly, to mitigate the threat of future deadly pandemics, it is crucial to exercise caution in handling hazardous viruses. The genetic data of such viruses should be treated as an “info hazard,” where sharing it without proper care poses a significant risk to society. In simpler terms, unrestricted access to dangerous DNA should not be granted to anyone. Furthermore, strict tracking measures should be implemented for individuals who acquire such genetic material, making it considerably more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access hazardous content.
The subsequent phase involves proactively detecting these threats by identifying the presence and rapid transmission of virulent viruses among humans. One practical approach is establishing laboratories with virus detectors in densely populated areas. These detectors would continuously monitor the microscopic world, enabling us to swiftly respond and initiate appropriate countermeasures if we observe a sudden surge of specific microorganisms within a short timeframe.
Our ultimate goal is to construct a machine capable of annihilating any potential pandemic threat before it can seize control. This objective can be achieved by utilizing cutting-edge tools currently under development. For instance, nano filters designed to extract hazards from the air we breathe or specialized UV lamps that swiftly eradicate any virus, preventing it from spreading between individuals. Furthermore, we must enhance our ability to develop and distribute new vaccines at an unprecedented pace, surpassing all previous records. By undertaking these three initiatives, the likelihood of averting a catastrophic pandemic in the future becomes significantly favorable.
Biotechnology possesses neither inherent goodness nor malice like any remarkable and potent technology. Its potential manifests in awe-inspiring ways, capable of producing both positive and negative outcomes. We can shape a future where we attain true mastery over biology. This includes our biological systems, the flora and fauna surrounding us, and even the intricate microworld of microorganisms.
Let us harness this potential to forge a future where we emerge victorious against pandemics and diseases.